Sunday, March 9, 2014

About Face!

Friends and Kitties!

Sheebie here.

Back in 2000 I had Lasik surgery to correct my extreme nearsightedness, and it changed my life, not to have to wear glasses to do virtually anything. I think I navigated in the dark better than I did in daylight without glasses. My vision was really bad. I got my first pair of specs at age six and that's when I realized that trees had individual leaves. Anyway, I think I missed the stage in development where one learns how to distinguish faces, because I couldn't see them before glasses; people were just pink or brown blobs. To this day it amazes Scott that I don't recognize actors from show to show, if they differ by much I cannot figure out who they are by sight alone. Now, if they speak I have a fighting chance because I'm quite good at deciphering voices--probably not very surprisingly--that's how my brain adapted to poor visual acuity. After thirteen years at my job I still have a hard time putting names to faces, I think it's a skill I just never mastered.

Or, maybe I'm crazier than I thought.

The reason I'm bringing this up is that I'm going to BlogPaws in May (HURRAH!) and I'm excited to be meeting so many of you in person, but I'm a little intimidated by having to process so many new faces at once. I'm hoping there will be name tags, ideally with photos of your pets on them, because I don't have a hard time remembering/recognizing animals at all--especially if I see their photos everyday! Please, don't be insulted if I ask what your name is elebenty times. I've been studying up visages on Facebook to better the odds...now if you only would look like the cartoonized avatars I'd be set!

Oh well, I intend to enjoy myself, even if I'm the only person who's name I can remember...

47 comments:

How cool to be able to go to Blogpaws. It will be very exciting. Maybe they can put their pets and their cartoon avatar. That would be twice as helpful. We can't wait for the video. We have seen one hummingbird at our corridor garden.

No worries - ever since my brain surgeries I have to meet someone at least 5 times before I remember them so I'll be going around reintroducing myself to people....and I used to be one of the folks who would remember a person after one meeting.

At least you have an excuse for not recognising faces - your sight. I am just ignorant! I bet if all participants wore a picture of their felines, you'd know who they were!!!

Looking forward to the hummer video - we have the sparrows in the enst box to look forward too. And Seppo LOVES his little oven bed. It took ages to get it fixed 'just right' and now he is in it all the time. Many thanks!

Heeeyyy, you know what? You have just given me something to think about. I've had to wear glasses since the First Grade. I was about five when I got them. My parents did not notice I needed them, it was my teacher that called them and said I could not come back to "regular" school till I could see! But I never thought about the not being able to recognize people the way you have it here - and it makes perfect sense! I am terrible with names to faces as well. Hey, thank you. I'm gonna think on this some more. And you, don't sweat it. Much like you shared with me, you are not alone in that boat :-)

You'll have a great time and I don't think the names will be an issue--people will understand. :-)

BTW, I don't even have a valid reason for names not sticking in my brain. I've been at my work place for 13+ years and there are people in the building who will greet me by name, only I have no idea what theirs is. Embarrassing!

I have horrible vision but, unluckily for me, I am grossly farsighted. Lasik only works for nearsightedness. Bugger. I have to wait until medicare will pay for cataract surgery so I can get a lens replacement.

Name tags would be an absolute necessity for me! I don't remember names. Or book details, or movie details. It must be bad brain cells in my family because all of my sisters have the same affliction. The upside? We can read a book or watch a movie we loved and it is almost brand new again but with a deep sense of familiarity. Wierd, eh?

The head peep has the same problem with remembering names and faces, but she doesn't have eyesight to blame. You're right, if everyone had to wear photos of their cats at BlogPaws, it would be much easier to identify them! She's excited that she will be able to meet you there.

I wear glasses and am very nearsighted too but it started when I was around 30. I know you'll have a great time and I'm so envious. If only I were still living in CA! Can't wait to hear all about it even if there aren't any names mentioned.

I forget names all the time. Heck, I couldn't remember Greg's name until the end of our first date, then promptly forgot it again until he sent me a card! I kept thinking his name was Ralph for some reason, not even close! A lot of times I'll see a face and think I should know who that is, but the name, gone!

I can't wait to meet you at BlogPaws! Yes, there are name tags. But last year when I went, I found myself calling the humans by their cats name. For instance, I kept calling Janis, Sparkle the whole time. And Terry (Brian's human) was Brian, of course! But it was a lot of fun meeting everyone. And you won't miss me...I'll have the shortest blondest hair there. :)

Kudos for going to BlogPaws.I would bet you MOST people have problems remembering names, especially when there is more than one new person being introduced. Just wear a name tag that says "HI I'm Trish but I don't remember your name please remind me!" OK I know that's a bit much for a name tag! HAhahahaha

Isn't it funny, but that is exactly what Mom said when she first had glasses: She could see the individual leaves on the trees. She has heard so many others express this same thing. She didn't get glasses until she was 18; even though, she had needed them her entire life because of bad astigmatism. Her parents were like that…always in denial. Anyway, no problem at Blog Paws, but now that we know your problem, some teasing could ensue, like people telling you a different name each time they are with you.! MOL! Mom really looks forward to meeting you. Purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

I had a severe concussion and head injury back in 2001 and I have lost the attachment between names and faces! That's my reason and I am sticking to it!I really wish they would have blog paws in Midway, or Calgary or Spokane, or Seattle....then maybe I could make it!Nellie's Mommy

Name tags with your blog on it, very small. But, no one really knows who they are looking for and that's half the fun. Our mom isn't good with faces & names either and she doesn't have the glasses excuse. But it's ok, its all fun and everyone is meeting so many people no one is offended if you can't remember them. Hell, I wouldn't remember MY name if I didn't hear it all the time!

Soooo happy you are going and YES YES YES (as others have said), there are name tags!Don't feel bad, most of us only know the names of the cats, dogs, etc and NOT the people!I often have to ask everyone their name ELEBENTY BILLION TIMES!xoxoxo

Good point - we'll tell Mom to have our names and pix on her name tag. Maybe she'll even wear a Cattywumpus Tshirt (like she did last year. Mom looks EXACTLY like the drawings she does of herself (except she packs a few extra pounds than her flattering pix indicate!)

That's soooo cool that you're going! WOOT! We're sending our mommy to meet you! Someone on FB mentioned the idea of getting t-shirts made with the blog logo on it. But all you hafta do is wear a tie-dyed creation and WE'LL all know YOU!! :-)

Actually, our mom's speaking at BP too, and may contact you to see about a possible local connection for her session. It's on how to create effective video for shelters & rescues. she's toying with the idea of having a shelter bring a real adoptable dog or cat (probably dog) for a practicum at the end. Maybe - if there's time. Still pondering...!